PDF file: “A paradise on earth” – Masaaki-sama’s Message No. 7
A paradise on earth.
The construction of a paradise on earth.
This is what Meishu-sama has entrusted to us. This is what we aim for every day. This is why we became the followers of Meishu-sama.
Now, do you know what “a paradise on earth” means?
You think that it means to turn this earthly world into a better place, a better world?
Are you sure? Are you sure that that’s the meaning of “a paradise on earth” for Meishu-sama?
In society, many people talk about this “creating a better world.” Can any of you tell me the fundamental difference between this “creating a better world” and Meishu-sama’s “construction of a paradise on earth”? Can you?
This is what Meishu-sama says: “In the Final Judgment, the grave sinners will perish, and the not-so-grave sinners will be saved. Those who believe in this will attain eternal life and survive as the residents of a paradise on earth that is to come.”
Can anybody understand the meaning of the expression “a paradise on earth” in this Sacred Word?
Meishu-sama is saying here that a paradise on earth is a place where those who have attained eternal life live.
A paradise on earth is a place where those who have attained eternal life live.
My question to you is this: hasn’t Meishu-sama survived the Final Judgment, attained eternal life and become a resident of a paradise on earth?
Of course he has. Meishu-sama is, of course, a resident of a paradise on earth, right?
If so, “a paradise on earth” that Meishu-sama talks about is definitely not referring to this earthly world where we now live, is it? Because Meishu-sama is not with us on this earth at this moment, is he?
What a groundbreaking idea this is.
Haven’t we assumed for a long time that a paradise on earth is something to be built on this very earth we now live in?
But Meishu-sama is saying clearly and without any margin of error that a paradise on earth is where those who attained eternal life live.
And which one do you think you are?
You think that you are a “not-so-grave sinner” who will be saved? That you are not destined to perish because your sin is not so grave?
Among all of you, is there anyone who can say to God, “my sin is not so grave” or “I have the right to be saved”? Can any of you say these things to God with confidence?
Maybe some of you think you can. But before saying anything, consider what Meishu-sama says.
In his hymn, Meishu-sama wrote:
“O God, my sin is grave. / But You, O God, did not punish me for it. / Instead, You pour Your boundless blessings on me!”
Another one:
“O God! / If You so wish, / With Your unfailing love, / With Your great mercy and compassion, / Forgive me— / Me whose body, family and ancestors are filled with many sins!”
Meishu-sama himself is saying that his sin is grave and that he is filled with many sins. If any of you think you are better than Meishu-sama, then go ahead and say to God that your sin is not so grave and you have the right to be saved.
And you have to pay attention to how Meishu-sama says it in his Sacred Word I quoted earlier.
He is not saying that the “not-so-grave sinners will attain eternal life.” Rather, he is saying that “the grave sinners will perish, and the not-so-grave sinners will be saved.” And “Those who believe in this will attain eternal life.”
So didn’t Meishu-sama believe that since he was a grave sinner, he was destined to perish and did not have the right to be saved? And for that, didn’t he repent and beg God’s forgiveness for his sins? And isn’t that why he was allowed to attain eternal life and be a resident of a paradise on earth?
When we hear the phrase “a paradise on earth,” we immediately think about the outside world, don’t we? And we think that this earth we now live in is still in a chaotic state and many works need to be done for an ideal world to come.
But think: we, ourselves, are part of earth, aren’t we? We who carry this sense of “I” live on this earth. We who carry life live on this very earth. So actually, we, ourselves, represent “earth.” And if we, the earth, can become one with the eternal paradise, with heaven, and attain eternal life, isn’t that what a paradise on earth means for Meishu-sama?
Hasn’t Meishu-sama achieved this himself by being born anew as a child of God?
Isn’t Meishu-sama a true prototype of a paradise on earth?
When Meishu-sama said that a paradise on earth needs to spread to the whole world, didn’t he mean that all of humanity who live on this earth need to become one with the eternal paradise and be born anew as children of God? Isn’t this what the true meaning of the “construction of a paradise on earth” is? For all humanity to be born anew as children of God?
Maybe this sounds completely different from how we have been understanding what “a paradise on earth” is, an understanding that we believed was in line with Meishu-sama’s wish. But bear in mind: Meishu-sama says that a paradise on earth is a place where those who have attained eternal life live.
I think the time has come for us to completely renew, with repentance, our understanding of what “a paradise on earth” is for Meishu-sama.
How fortunate we are that God has prepared His forgiveness so that we can attain eternal life and be His children.
It is up to each one of us whether we want to receive this forgiveness and be part of a paradise on earth.
It is up to each one of us whether we want to spread this gospel and be part of the construction of a paradise on earth.
